Cost of Living Comparison Between Wah and Karachi Cost of Living Comparison Between Wah and Karachi

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $347 in Wah versus $477 in Karachi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $528 in Wah versus $727 in Karachi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $709 in Wah versus $978 in Karachi.

Living in Wah costs roughly 27% less than in Karachi, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Wah 74% lower, Karachi 64% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.81 PKR 503

$2.14 PKR 595

-15.42%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$10.44 PKR 2,906

$12.44 PKR 3,461

-16.08%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.51 PKR 976

$4.06 PKR 1,129

-13.55%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.85 PKR 794

$1.99 PKR 553

43.22%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.78 PKR 1,330

$5.22 PKR 1,451

-8.43%

Cappuccino

$1.28 PKR 355

$1.89 PKR 525

-32.28%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 PKR 93.3

$0.36 PKR 101

-5.56%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.24 PKR 67.2

$0.23 PKR 64.2

4.35%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.75 PKR 209

$0.83 PKR 231

-9.64%

White Bread (500g)

$0.60 PKR 166

$0.58 PKR 161

3.45%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.26 PKR 351

$1.13 PKR 315

11.50%

Eggs

$1.14 PKR 318

$1.21 PKR 337

-5.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.11 PKR 1,700

$6.29 PKR 1,749

-2.86%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.55 PKR 710

$3.19 PKR 887

-20.06%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.16 PKR 879

$4.91 PKR 1,365

-35.64%

Apples (1kg)

$1.03 PKR 287

Banana (1kg)

$0.60 PKR 166

$0.58 PKR 162

3.45%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.62 PKR 173

$0.93 PKR 258

-33.33%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.52 PKR 144

$0.56 PKR 156

-7.14%

Potato (1kg)

$0.37 PKR 103

$0.39 PKR 108

-5.13%

Onion (1kg)

$0.55 PKR 153

$0.51 PKR 141

7.84%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.62 PKR 173

$0.38 PKR 107

63.16%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.43 PKR 119

$0.43 PKR 120

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$0.95 PKR 263

$1.28 PKR 356

-25.78%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.73 PKR 203

$1.26 PKR 351

-42.06%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.99 PKR 552

$2.08 PKR 580

-4.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.87 PKR 521

$2.08 PKR 580

-10.10%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.16 PKR 44.82

$0.34 PKR 94.4

-52.94%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$7.11 PKR 1,978

$6.33 PKR 1,762

12.32%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.05 PKR 291

$0.74 PKR 205

41.89%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.40 PKR 111

$0.61 PKR 171

-34.43%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.81 PKR 504

$1.79 PKR 497

1.12%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.94 PKR 261

$0.92 PKR 256

2.17%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$22.3K PKR 6.2M

$16.4K PKR 4.6M

35.70%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$21.4K PKR 6.0M

$24.5K PKR 6.8M

-12.38%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$57.8 PKR 16.1K

$132 PKR 36.8K

-56.34%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$3.78 PKR 1,052

$4.90 PKR 1,362

-22.86%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$13.03 PKR 3,624

$13.63 PKR 3,791

-4.40%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$12.61 PKR 3,508

$15.55 PKR 4,325

-18.91%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.90 PKR 1,643

$14.33 PKR 3,986

-58.83%

Cinema Ticket

$3.60 PKR 1,001

$4.33 PKR 1,203

-16.86%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$28.34 PKR 7,883

$58.0 PKR 16.1K

-51.10%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,133 PKR 315.3K

$1,402 PKR 389.9K

-19.13%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.04 PKR 4,461

$17.73 PKR 4,932

-9.53%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$21.88 PKR 6,087

$25.51 PKR 7,097

-14.23%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.1 PKR 16.7K

$64.2 PKR 17.8K

-6.33%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$25.53 PKR 7,101

$35.86 PKR 9,976

-28.81%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$75.2 PKR 20.9K

$122 PKR 33.8K

-38.17%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$52.7 PKR 14.7K

$73.9 PKR 20.6K

-28.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$166 PKR 46.1K

$323 PKR 89.8K

-48.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$105 PKR 29.2K

$182 PKR 50.6K

-42.27%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,113 PKR 309.5K

$985 PKR 273.9K

13.01%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$583 PKR 162.2K

$457 PKR 127.3K

27.44%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$181 PKR 50.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

17.8

1.12%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Wah: June 2, 2026

Last update for Karachi: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $75.2 in Wah and $122 in Karachi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $10.00 in Wah vs $12.00 in Karachi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $87.0 vs $97.0 per month, with Wah cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Wah vs Karachi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Wah and Karachi differ by about 37% in total monthly costs ($347 vs $477 including rent). Wah is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $520 in Wah and $715 in Karachi to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Rent for a central apartment: $75.2 in Wah versus $122 in Karachi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

All in, you'll spend $347 per month in Wah versus $477 in Karachi – a 37% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

A monthly transit pass in Wah runs roughly 12% less than in Karachi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Wah gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Wah and Karachi are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Wah gentler on the wallet – expenses run 37% less than in Karachi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.